2004 Phelan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Community Tasting Notes (12) Avg Score: 89.7 points

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  2/3/2018 - no oak Likes this wine: 90 Points

  Not an overly complex wine, but it's got beautiful cabernet fruit. Does not require a long decant.

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  11/2/2014 - difran wrote: 83 Points

  Deep purple color, green vegetal tones. Oak. High structure. Drink with food- steak perhaps.

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  8/4/2013 - Not647f wrote:

  When I opened it, the tannins were pretty awkward, all sharp elbows jutting out, even though I decanted. I had fears that these oak products had us heading towards Silver Oak land--which wouldn't be surprising, since the Phelans sold to that winery before making their own. But that's a winemaking choice, and while they obviously didn't seek to avoid some of Silver Oak's market, it's not the same wine. Still, I think that's the customer they were looking for, and that's not me. After an hour or so, the tannins did smooth out and the solid blackcurrant and dark cherry flavors emerged a bit more. Not a huge finish and, for its pretensions, a not complex wine. There are fewer herbal and tobacco notes than before, suggesting that there won't be a lot more development.

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  3/2/2012 - Not647f wrote: 90 Points

  I'd give it another half point if that could be done. But this is improving 7.5 years after vintage. At first tasted a little over-oaked, but with air, it integrated nicely into big but not jammy cabernet fruit flavors--black currants, mostly--and some menthol, tobacco, and fine but drying tannin. I opened it and decanted about 2/3 into a half liter carafe, so it didn't get crazy amounts of air, but we drank it over an evening. Wife took it out of my hands so she could get her share--a good sign. Hoping it keeps progressing over the next year, since I have a couple left.

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  12/28/2011 - Tim Heaton wrote:

  PnP. Dark ruby, several transitions showing a bit of age. Aromas of cherry, dark chocolate, sage. Flavors follow to the sensibly full-bodied palate. Medium acids, medium finish. This is not a wine I would seek out, but if I had some in the cellar, I'd be sure to decant for aeration for at least an hour - subtle herbal and floral notes are most likely waiting to show themselves. Drink thru 2016, 14,2% abv, score: B+

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